Have you ever found yourself in a place where in the middle of the afternoon, you need to go eat, but nothing is open? NOTHING?!! That's what happened to my Yoga pal Jennie and me one Saturday afternoon in the middle of North Devon.

Went to yoga - nearly fell asleep as usual - so relaxing. Especially after the huge number of guests I was looking after - see below. Then it was about 2.45pm so we went off for some 'lunch'. Except in the area I live, there is NO FOOD served for a couple of hours mid afternoon. None. We went to Shebbear, pub stops at 3pm. Then to Black Torrington - ditto. Then to Holsworthy , to my fave Filter Through, and guess what - it closed at 2pm. Pubs the same. Apart from a sarnie from the coop or the coffee shop in Waitrose, we were stuffed. And hungry. Why don't you go to Bude, says a lady in the pub. Turns out it's only 15 mins from where we were. I forget how near we are to the amazing Cornish coast! So off we did go. Eventually found a parking place and had a bite to eat which was blimming lovely!

Look at those plates - yum!!

So eventually a good time was had by all. And Bude was heaving with people - obviously the ghost town that was Holsworthy on a Saturday is due to everyone going elsewhere - like Bude. Must go again and do it properly. At least I got to go be a tourist with one of my besties in Devon, during my heavy workload week in Devon.

The video also tells the story of how I got a full house. This week I had the most guests I've had yet at my lovely guest house in Devon. Retreats for You had four writers in the week, who were lovely, and two stayed over the weekend as it was my Devon week (to be followed by a London week - on air seven days out of the next eight! New schedule.) Then the others were spill over wedding guests from the pub opposite, plus a lone extra. Listen to the video to find out more!

We are busy again week commencing 13th Aug and 20th Aug, just one or two places left each week (four nights at £95pppn full board inc drinks), and then I'm easing off for September just in case my daughter Lolly has her baby early. Or late. Watch this space.

This week I also went to see an old colleague and good pal, in a play in Sidmouth. Again I did a vlog about it, click here to see it - plus it also showed what the poggies got up to down at the river - bless them, well it was hot - and also mentioned a teaser for the Laura Geller #TSV deal happening Sunday on QVC (go here to see it now and buy it if you're quick!) Loved seeing the play - very good day out this time with Sheena - one of my other 'Louises' (I'm Thelma!)

Very bracing. I do love my excursions. Just wish there were more hours in the day!

This week's QVC blog has a funny from Katie Pullinger, which I saw when I was in last weekend doing my early weekend stint - go here to read the blog, see lots of sneaky peeks and updates from my garden, and watch the funny - click here. I'm back on QVC tomorrow, Sunday (5th) late pm. Looking forward to Monday too, when I'm off to Margaret Dabbs clinic for a medical pedicure - she has the most superb TSV on Monday - amazing value, don't miss it.

Lastly this week I'm happy to announce there'll be another concert for you to come along to if you're near Sheepwash on Wednesday 22nd August - after our concert last September at The Plough in Torrington, Barry Parsons the 'singing councillor' and I have been asked to perform to raise funds for the church roof - yes literally! So do come and see us - tickets from Sheepwash shop or from Rod Bridges on

This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

If you come along in the afternoon, we can offer you tea as that's the day our tearooms is open and if you're lucky there might be a room for an overnight in the pub opposite! (Half Moon Inn). Make a day of it! We are singing mostly songs from the shows and I'm really looking forward to it. It's in the St Lawrence's church just up the road so join us if you can!

Anyway have a fab week! Don't forget to follow my social media and you'll see the updates first!

best wishes

debs

x

ps My guest house in North Devon has spaces for non-writers (and writers in July. We are mainly a writing retreat but that doesn't mean we don't occasionally have non-writers. I have two full weeks booked of non writers, actually, including some spaces for July 23rd Mon-Fri (£95pppn inc full board and wine at dinner!) Email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to enquire about dates, and have a little look here - by the way - we have spaces currently on our yoga week on August 13th if you fancy doing one or two classes each day!

Deep within Sarah Pinborough's mind must lie something truly scary. And genius. Her book 'Behind Her Eyes' had such an amazing twist, I made it my book of the year. And this next one is captivating me albeit in a different way. It also has a touch of the supernatural, which I love. And great pacy dialogue - I can easily imagine it as a TV drama. Following a cop in a slightly dystopian alternative reality, it takes us through a police procedural with an anti-hero. If you love robert Galbraith, get this - and the narrator is great too. Well done Sarah, another winner.

"The recession has left the world exhausted. Crime is rising; financial institutions across the world have collapsed, and most governments are now in debt to The Bank, a company created by the world's wealthiest men.But Detective Inspector Cass Jones has enough on his plate without worrying about the world at large. His marriage is crumbling, he's haunted by the deeds of his past, and he's got the high-profile shooting of two schoolboys to solve - not to mention tracking down a serial killer who calls himself the Man of Flies. Then Cass Jones' personal world is thrown into disarray when his brother shoots his own wife and child before committing suicide - leaving Cass implicated in their deaths. And when he starts seeing silent visions of his dead brother, it's time for the suspended DI to go on the hunt himself - only to discover that all three cases are linked . . . As Jones is forced to examine his own family history, three questions keep reappearing: what disturbed his brother so badly in his final few weeks? Who are the shadowy people behind The Bank? And, most importantly, what do they want with DI Cass Jones?"

Julie Cohen's hit list of fab short story format audiobooks or podcasts...

Julie is not only an amazing mentor and author, she posts about cool things on social media. On Facebook this week, she asked this -

I need a great audio book to listen to as I run, so nothing that I'll forget in between. Not a novel. Something with short stories, or essays, or something episodic. The last audio book I listened to is "This Is Going to Hurt", which was perfect. At the moment I'm craving nonfiction, memoir, literary/book club fiction, science fiction. If it's feminist and/or queer, all the better. Nothing about politics, war or environmental catastrophe. Recommendations?

- my writing retreat down in Devon is about to announce some new dates for retreats including -

yoga retreats - april 9th, July 9th, august 13th and October 22nd. Four nights, two yoga classes a day and space to finish your precious writing project.

Julie Cohen -new October date - 15th, Mon till Fri. One of the industry's best mentors is giving another workshop. You will book direct with Julie. Limited places - only five spaces - be prepared to book asap!

2018 pricing begins May. We are holding our prices as we only have a few retreats in Feb and March since we are planning to do some refurbishments. Book now and hold 2017 prices.

best wishes

debs

x

ps

Editor Week - new dates for Bluepencilagency.com editor to help you get your MS ready for submission - July 16th

Retreats West - have announced their new tutored retreats for 2018 - both at RFY! March 12th,creating complex characters retreat or June 18th - 22nd a scriptwriting week with Bang 2 Write - email us for infoThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beginners’ Guide And if you’re a complete beginner and want to self-publish, my basic guide can be found here - beginner's tips for self-publishing - a summary of info, sites and links to help you on your way. Including my guest blog on prestigious industry website, TheCreativePenn.com, Go here to read more.

Archives Don’t forget to check out the other archives (to the left) for even more fabulous hints, tips, links and blogs.

‘When Dreams Return’ (2014) – spooky romantic short story – when Chelle’s pal Sara gets her to conjure up her ideal man with a full moon magic spell, she gets more than she bargained for… also appears in Hocus Pocus anthology.

- my writing retreat down in Devon is about to announce some new dates for retreats including -

yoga retreats - april 9th, July 9th, august 13th and October 22nd. Four nights, two yoga classes a day and space to finish your precious writing project.

Julie Cohen -new October date - 15th, Mon till Fri. One of the industry's best mentors is giving another workshop. You will book direct with Julie. Limited places - only five spaces - be prepared to book asap!

2018 pricing begins May. We are holding our prices as we only have a few retreats in Feb and March since we are planning to do some refurbishments. Book now and hold 2017 prices.

best wishes

debs

x

ps

Editor Week - new dates for Bluepencilagency.com editor to help you get your MS ready for submission - July 16th

Retreats West - have announced their new tutored retreats for 2018 - both at RFY! March 12th,creating complex characters retreat or June 18th - 22nd a scriptwriting week with Bang 2 Write - email us for infoThis email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Beginners’ Guide And if you’re a complete beginner and want to self-publish, my basic guide can be found here - beginner's tips for self-publishing - a summary of info, sites and links to help you on your way. Including my guest blog on prestigious industry website, TheCreativePenn.com, Go here to read more.

Archives Don’t forget to check out the other archives (to the left) for even more fabulous hints, tips, links and blogs.

‘When Dreams Return’ (2014) – spooky romantic short story – when Chelle’s pal Sara gets her to conjure up her ideal man with a full moon magic spell, she gets more than she bargained for… also appears in Hocus Pocus anthology.

Just a quickie, to let you know, firstly, some fabulous news about Derek the dog.

Derek the dog is one of the puppies I sponsored at Medical Detection Dogs, and was able to name him. (After my late father, Derek. I also was able to name a second yellow labrador called Lesley, after my mum! See the posts to find out more, on my charity page.

Hope you can read it okay from the picture here!

Basically he is making good progress having been partnered with a new client/owner, alerting up to 10 times a day! Saving the NHS lots of money, and providing a much better standard of life for these partners, many of whom are severely diabetic and have problems detecting blood sugar highs and lows. (If you remember, The dogs alert them so that they will check their own blood sugar which no machine can do.) I am very proud to be involved, and very proud of little Derek who is now two years old :-)

Busy Repairing and Fixing...

My lovely daughter Lauren stayed this week and last, with her smashing hubby Nick the superb handyman, who got through most of my list of 24 things! OMG there was so much to do! Anyway, it was fab to be spending so much time with them both, and their crazy spaniels!

Lots more on my Facebook page as usual. Remember there are two now, but the QVC chat one is mostly for updates on the latest deals! (links at bottom)

book of the week

if you fancy a good read, lovely Jill Mansell’s ‘This Could Change Everything’ is out – and it’s another super family relationship drama with a touch of romance thrown in, as Essie struggles to deal with the fall out after the letter she didn’t intend the whole world to see is sent out by mistake… Full review on my RiWiSi book blog here. Always worth reading, Jill Mansell’s books and she’s a lovely lady as well.

By the way I'm still loving every minute of Sarah Pinborough's 'A Matter of Blood' - I just hope the ending is as surprising as the rest has been so far! Really well narrated too. She's fast becoming one of my top authors...

This week on QVC - I'm Queen of the TSV Launches this weekend! I'll be not only launching the Laura Geller kit tonight (Thursday) but also the wonderful Lakeland Airer with cover Friday night (16th) midnight, then on sunday night the Skechers slip ons! Goodness me! See all the latest on QVC blog here, and remember it goes live by Friday afternoons.

big hugs and have a great weekend! I'm going to - my first stint at babysitting little granddaughter Blake Katherine on Saturday afternoon - wish me luck! And come back soon for my next blog on my website www.debbieflint.com with pics!

Happy Boxing Day! Hope you had a nice Xmas? I'm back at work tonight launching the Shark duo vac #TSV on QVC, at midnight, but first a round up of some nice christmassy scenes from my house to yours.

Spent an early xmas with my kids on 23rd too –

Had a super get together with family, as usual, three separate Christmas meals in fact. But I wanted to say hi to anyone who finds this time of year particularly difficult. Thinking of you as well.

Nice New Year

Fortunately I have a few days off after 27th. I have always loved Christmas, but New Year has not been my favourite time, through the years, so mainly I have worked it. However this year I will be going to a New Year’s Eve get together in the village of Belstone with my lovely friend Alix, who has also threatened to kidnap me on New Year's Day to make me relax. She has promised several hours in front of a roaring wood burner, drinking tea, eating treats, and catching up with the box set of Big Little Lies. I have wanted to watch that award-winning series for a while so I may well let her! Have a lovely time whatever you do.

On Friday, my 2017 Review of the Year will be available on the Qvc Blog - do check it out, it will appear here. Very big year for me in so many ways! Top film, show, book, moment, funny, product, etc etc – do compare yours to mine and go have a read!

Finally I thought I would post a link to a winter quiz on the BBC website, see how much you know about Christmas. It is here – https://trib.al/tVdwe6x We played it on air as well as at home and some of the ten questions have weird answers! Just a bit of fun!

Wishing you much joy, rest, balance, and gratitude for what ever is good in your life right now. To anyone who is poorly, I wish you well. To anyone who is alone, social media can be a godsend. Watch out for my new ‘Debbie Flint QVC Chat’ Twitter and new Facebook page launching properly in the New Year with a massive bundle of goodies to give away if you follow and share.

Looking forward to getting back to Devon to have a few days relaxing with the dogs and some lovely country walks, and I will obviously post more of my vlogs (video blogs) as I know many of you really appreciate watching them. And see you on QVC around the third. Also there’s a massive Decleor today's special value coming up soon if you got given some Christmas money, and fancy a super treat! Lots more about what’s on this week on the latest QVC blog posted on Friday here.

What a lovely week I've just had with the very very talented author Julie Cohen and my lovely writing pal Sue Bassett joining me and new guest Hazel for the week. It poured and it poured, see here on Facebook! But we were cosy inside - they were writing and I was looking after them, and wrapping presents - when the dogs let me! That's them in the pic getting in the way!

Here's Julie's post showing some of the christmassy scenes at our place - such a lovely time of year - in fact, the 'most wonderful time, of the yeeeeear'

PS YOU HAVE TO WATCH THIS FUNNY VID of spaniel Loony Luna too - so funny bless her! On facebook here - and do 'like' the page. Watch out also for a new page coming soon with QVC Chat and me!

BOOK OF THE WEEK

Seems a sensible one, given this weekend is the final of the Apprentice 2017 series. 'Apprentice' the Audible original audiobook however, is fictional - set in the 1300s and follows a rags to riches story of a self made Merchant way back when. 50 different voices across the three tales - this is the first. Looking forward to reading it after I finish 'Column of Fire' by Ken Follett. Book of the Week here.

SING FOR MY SUPPER

Had a lovely time at last weekend's Good Grief Trust winter gala dinner at Wimbledon FC clubhouse in Kingston, where I sang - again. Only karaoke this time but it was fine in the end! Was very nervous again about it - turns out it's much easier when I'm not petrified of forgetting the words! Go here to see me sing a bit! And well done to Linda Magistris for arranging it all! Superstar event organiser...!

it's been another week off for me down in Devon. Next week it's back to welcoming lots of guests here again, but this week it was all about Christmasssss!

Bought lots of pressies and as usual, I laid them all out in my back room before wrapping them up ready to take back to London around 20th. It's a good job that a) I live alone and b) noone was here writing this week!

But it'll all be ok once they've all gone... and it's a good job I can close the door on that room next week once everyone arrives!! hehe!

Meanwhile, the decorations are up - here's an example - I'm sure it's going to feel very welcoming when you walk through the door. The tree is in the hallway - it's really the only place it can go, even though it's a big house. And I was very glad to discover a little place not far away that did a seven foot tree for just £36. I love having a real tree - do you?

Another thing I did was find enough batteries for the lights and hanging baskets, garlands, candles and so on. Happily, I stumbled across last year's box where I'd decanted all the old ones and some still worked! Oh the simple joys. Plus the alkaline battery re-charger - delight! But there are several pressies still to buy..

Secret Santa Surprises?

So we have a long list of lovely people who have helped this year, helped to make our lives more enjoyable and our jobs easier. Both at the retreat in Devon and at QVC, my 'proper job' (as they say in the South West!) Plus I'm having a little 'ladies' lunch' featuring a Secret Santa, on 19th in Sheepwash, then our annual presenters' lunch on the Thursday. So it's time to consider what to get for all these little treats - some secret santas and pressies - with a budget of between £5 and £10. From little yankee candles to the mini version of the super board game 'Articulate', there were lots of options. In the end we went with a bottle bag, and a little bottle of fizz, together with a surprise at the bottom of the bag - can you guess what it is? Answer at the bottom! total cost just a fiver! Fingers crossed they all like them - looking forward to seeing their faces!

Book of the Week

Ohhhhh I love my regular authors when they bring out the next book in a series! So it's time for me to dip into the Pillars of the Earth sequel, from Ken Follett - book 3, Columns of Fire. Set in the 1500s, at the time of the Spanish Inquisition, it's full of the usual pithy detail about life in those times and as normal, the narrator adds a touch of authenticity with his inflections even if it's a little affected sometimes. Enjoying it very much. More here.

Facebook Vlog of the Week

Well most of the days were rather dull, weather-wise, but happily it was ok enough to take the dogs for a nice walk. Gracie can't go too far nowadays cos of her hip dysplasia but they love to get out. Here's a vlog from one of my daily walks in Devon which so many facebookers seem to love so much! Do follow the Facebook page and 'like' it to get the regular updates automatically!

QVC BLOG - this week's on Friday will feature an early bird link for Sunday's big Amazon Echo Today's Special Value as well as lots of other sneaky peeks, and a reminder of one of the funniest bloopers EVER! Made me laugh for days on end... poor Mally didn't know what hit her! Go here to see it on Friday from around lunchtime... Or visit my Twitter page where it is still the pinned post!

FINALLY - are you near Kingston this Saturday (9th)? Can you come to the Good Grief Trust gig? More info here - come hear me sing a few vintage songs, amongst other things - should be fun. go here to find out more!!

Super days out this week - another lovely restful week down in Devon and the dogs loved the sea - twice!

See below for videos of how they got on in the waves - so funny seeing what Gracie did!

It's been a great week for relaxing and it kicked off with a special acupuncture session with my lovely pal Goody. She told me I have to focus on getting more quality sleep so I agreed. That's why on Wednesday morning, I ended up snoozing the alarm at 8.30. I'll get another half an hour, I thought. I don't have to leave till ten past ten. Next thing I know, I'm waking up and it's ten o'clock! But sleepcycle, the app I use to monitor my sleep, is confirming it's working and the average this week is over 8 hours. How much do you get? Have you a routine that helps you nod off?

One of the best things I've had recently has been the This Works spray at bedtime, and a comfy mattress topper. Also I find now it's cold I'm loving a hot water bottle on me tootsies! What about you?

Devon Beach Days

So many gorgeous sunny Autumn days recently. Lots of places to go to give my poggies a treat. Daisy and Gracie are funny - very sociable and want to say hello to as many people as they can when we are out. Not all the dogs want to say hello back however!

This was on Widemouth beach on Monday afternoon, when Gracie saw the sea and decided it was bath time! click here to watch it on my vlog. Plus, also on my official Facebook page, a post with another dozen pics of the pogs at the beach and some beautiful sunset shots - click here. (Don't forget to 'like' the page whilst you're there to avoid missing updates!)

Then on Wednesday Sheena and I visited Northcott bay, on the other side of Bude in Cornwall, just over the border with Devon. It was very pebbly, with some amazing geology, and the dogs had fun in the surf. These waves were crashing to the shore in typical Cornish coastal fashion, and it wasn't long before Gracie was in again - even though she wasn't quite ready for the bigger ones!

Well it was Hallowe'en this week and I went to an interesting talk, see below. BUT my book of the week is Hubble Bubble, a fun rom com by one of my fave authors, Jane Lovering. Its not a Hallowe'en story, so ok to read when you like! Good fun read and really witty turn of phrase as ever from Jane. More here.

And the winner of last week's competition is to be announced shortly

Super days out this week - another lovely restful week down in Devon and the dogs loved the sea - twice!

See below for videos of how they got on in the waves - so funny seeing what Gracie did!

It's been a great week for relaxing and it kicked off with a special acupuncture session with my lovely pal Goody. She told me I have to focus on getting more quality sleep so I agreed. That's why on Wednesday morning, I ended up snoozing the alarm at 8.30. I'll get another half an hour, I thought. I don't have to leave till ten past ten. Next thing I know, I'm waking up and it's ten o'clock! But sleepcycle, the app I use to monitor my sleep, is confirming it's working and the average this week is over 8 hours. How much do you get? Have you a routine that helps you nod off?

One of the best things I've had recently has been the This Works spray at bedtime, and a comfy mattress topper. Also I find now it's cold I'm loving a hot water bottle on me tootsies! What about you?

Devon Beach Days

So many gorgeous sunny Autumn days recently. Lots of places to go to give my poggies a treat. Daisy and Gracie are funny - very sociable and want to say hello to as many people as they can when we are out. Not all the dogs want to say hello back however!

This was on Widemouth beach on Monday afternoon, when Gracie saw the sea and decided it was bath time! click here to watch it on my vlog. Plus, also on my official Facebook page, a post with another dozen pics of the pogs at the beach and some beautiful sunset shots - click here. (Don't forget to 'like' the page whilst you're there to avoid missing updates!)

Then on Wednesday Sheena and I visited Northcott bay, on the other side of Bude in Cornwall, just over the border with Devon. It was very pebbly, with some amazing geology, and the dogs had fun in the surf. These waves were crashing to the shore in typical Cornish coastal fashion, and it wasn't long before Gracie was in again - even though she wasn't quite ready for the bigger ones!

Well it was Hallowe'en this week and I went to an interesting talk, see below. BUT my book of the week is Hubble Bubble, a fun rom com by one of my fave authors, Jane Lovering. Its not a Hallowe'en story, so ok to read when you like! Good fun read and really witty turn of phrase as ever from Jane. More here.

And the winner of last week's competition is to be announced shortly.

Join me on QVC midnight Thursday (tomorrow/tonight!) for a lovely duo of Peony hydrangea flowers inc a little fragrance spray that's delightful. And read my new QVC blog which will be here on Friday for more early bird links for the weekend's deals including IT cosmetics 5 pc heroes set!

Near Kingston in Surrey on December 9th? A fun night is in store - go here to find out more!! Including me singing again - a couple of songs is all, at the request of lovely pal Linda Magistris... would love your company, why not come along?

TICKETS ON SALE NOW! email us This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to reserve yours.

Bring a few friends to join your table. Great start to the Christmas festivities and you will be helping us to raise funds to signpost all those suffering grief to support across the UK. The Good Grief Trust

What do you do for Hallowe'en? Anything? I do love this pic, taken three years ago at the launch party of a special spooky anthology. It was such fun - mind you, masks are always easier than makeup right?

I don't generally do much for Hallowe'en - but I will be in Devon without any guests this year, so maybe we will have some trick or treaters! It'll be the first year in a long time since my last two houses were actually quite remote so we never got any visitors! That's after many years where the tradition in my Banstead house, quite close to other houses where kids live, was that all Laurens cousins came round, dressed up, and went off with their little cauldrons! So should I get a bumper bundle of treats? Or be prepared for some tricks? What do you think? Shame I haven't got this mask any more since I might be able to lie in wait behind the door for them... mwahhahaaa! That's the sort of thing my dad would have done anyway!

Free Spooky ebook for Hallowe'en

Nevertheless as it's next week, here's a treat of my own for you - a smashing offer! A free ebook - filled with spooky short stories, (mystical rather than gory) available for five days on Amazon, from 27th till Hallowe'en. Click here to read all about it and also to find out how to take part in the simple to enter competition to win a paperback copy of the book, Hocus Pocus '14 - over on the RiWiSi page this week. It's been written by award winners, best sellers and some 'true life tales' as well - all with a twist. Hope you manage to download it onto your kindles before the free offer runs out! more here.

Also over on my new QVC blog another chance to win a copy, this time including a box of delicious Devon fudge, from my trip to Powderham castle last week for the lucky winner, chosen at random from everyone posting a comment on the qvc website on that blog. More info will be here on my QVC blog launching on Friday.

Tour around my garden - Wednesday vlog question

Had an unseasonally warm day this week and videod my back garden - see it on my Facebook page, (and don't forget to click 'like' to see all future vlogs) - just listen to this wonderful sound, in my courtyard in Devon - click here.

What would you have done?

Needless to say the garden won!

Near Kingston in Surrey on December 9th? A fun night is in store - go here to find out more!! Including me singing again - a couple of songs is all, at the request of lovely pal Linda Magistris... would love your company, why not come along?

Talking of Amazon, go over to Amazon at the end of October for your free ebook version of this anthology of 13 spooky tales with a twist! Created by me along with 12 other authors, some award winning novelists, this is a perfect way to spend Hallowe'en any year! Interlaces with real life spooky stories from readers and Facebookers, plus a bonus spooky poem.

All you need to do is send an email to me, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., with 'subscribe spooky' in the subject line and you will be entered as well as joining my mailing list. Deadline is 3rd November, prize to be sent out first class post soon after winner is announced on this blog which will be updated.